'Avengers: Endgame' topples 'Star Wars' preview record

Venezuelan filmgoers watch the first screening in Venezuela of Marvel Studios' "Avengers: Endgame" at a cinema in Caracas on early April 26. AFP

``Avengers: Endgame'' has gotten off to a mighty start at the box office, earning a record $60 million from Thursday night preview showings in North America, according to the Walt Disney Co.

The previous record holder was ``Star Wars: The Force Awakens'' which earned $57 million from Thursday previews in 2015, though ``Avengers: Endgame'' was shown in more theaters.

Internationally, Disney said on Friday that ``Avengers: Endgame'' has already grossed $305 million in its first two days in theaters with over half of that tally coming from China.

Box office prognosticators are projecting that the film could earn anywhere from $260 million to $300 million domestically, and between $800 million and $1 billion globally when the dust settles and final numbers are reported Monday. (AP)